Account

Diving in Anguilla

Mangroves tangle themselves along the shoreline of Anguilla, a Caribbean getaway with more than its fair share of outstanding dive sites and vivacious marine life.

Diving in Anguilla

Quick facts

Seven marine parks encircle the small island, protecting the natural resources for generations to come.

Wreck divers, check out Anguilla. El Buen Consejo is a massive Spanish galleon, sunk during the colonial years. You can see cannons and cargo still intact on the ship, a truly unique experience. There are also intentionally sunk wrecks to see, if you just can’t get enough.

Excellent visibility is the norm, here, as the waters are quite unpolluted. You won’t need a wetsuit during your dive, either, as the water and air temperature remain around the same throughout the year.

The double reef system is a great place to find plenty of different species of coral, accompanied by typical, lovely Caribbean marine life.

Go to the offshore cays for some pristine, untouched wilderness. Diving here is exceptional, so it’s best to vary your experiences, checking out a couple of islands.

When to go

Rain and temperature

Click to expand

Water temperature

Click to expand

What to see

Excellent variation in coral and environments make great places for marine life to hide. You can find all sorts of Caribbean creatures here. Whales pass by on annual migrations, and sharks linger in the shallows.

Reef fish relish in the relative safety of the double reef, boasting vibrant colors and impressive sizes. You can see angelfish and plenty more of your tropical favorites. Lobsters peek out from cracks, and rays bury themselves beneath the sand.

Sea turtles also patrol these waters, so keep an eye out for these skittish reptiles.

Calendar

For better readability of the table, pass into the landscape mode.

Most likely sightingsPossible sightings

Country

At the northern edge of the Caribbean you find Anguilla, a British overseas territory found just north of Sint Maarten. The island is only 16 by 3 miles (26 by 5 kilometers) in size, though it also boasts a throng of small, uninhabited islets and cays. The name of the island responds to its shape, also known as Snake Island, its root word derived from the Latin word for “eel.”

Indigenous people lived on the island since around 1300 BC, far predating the colonizers who arrived in the 1600’s. Changing hands back and forth between the French and English, the island was used as a stopping point for slave ships en route to the Americas.

Today, the population rests around 14,000 people. The locals rely primarily on tourism and offshore banking, as the soil is fairly unfit for agriculture. However, the beaches draw visitors from around the world.

Other attractions

Aside from world class stunning beaches, the interior of Anguilla has plenty to offer travelers. The Heritage Collection is found in East End Village, which can give you a splendid history lesson on the island and the surrounding seas.
Both the Stone Cellar and Devonish Art Galleries showcase artistic works made by locals of the island, so stop in for a souvenir or two.

Getting there

Fly in or take a boat from a nearby island. Renting a car is highly recommended if you plan on exploring the island thoroughly, though roads are often in less than pristine condition.

UTC-04:00

Time zone

XCD

Currency

+1264

Calling code

110 V

Electric volt

A,

B

Plug type

AXA

Main airport

Note - Travel to any destination may be adversely affected by conditions including (but not limited) to security, entry and exit requirements, health conditions, local laws and culture, natural disasters and climate. Regardless of your destination, check your local travel advisory board or department for travel advice about that location when planning your trip and again shortly before you leave.